Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Optimist Club of Chilliwack, BC has broken their own record again with donations raised during the sixth annual Feed the Children Dinner Auction. This year the Optimist Club raised $24,624.10. Every penny will go to the Chilliwack Bowls of Hope Society, an organization that serves hot school lunches to children who would otherwise go without.

The Chilliwack Optimist Club has been involved with the program since its inception. The successful fundraising efforts will allow for another school to be added to the program bringing the total number of schools to 13. Approximately 500 children will receive lunches through the program.

The program requires approximately $30,000 to $35,000 to run each year. The Optimist Club has always provided the majority of funding. The club will award their donation to the Bowls of Hope Program on August 18 during the PNW District Convention.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Golfers in the Junior Linkster program from British Columbia, associated with the Optimist Junior Golf program in the PNW District, are in Idaho this week to participate in the Junior America's Cup. Led by team captain Harry White, the junior golfers will tee off on Tuesday, July 24 at approximately 9:00 a.m at Banbury Golf Course. They are competing against 15 other teams from Alberta, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Friday, July 20, 2012

The Twin Falls Optimist Club is in full party-planning mode as they get ready for the 2nd Annual Wings & Things Ultimate Tailgate Challenge. This year the event will be held on September 8, 2012.

According to the Twin Falls Blab, the Wings & Things Committee is "moving fast and furious to make this the biggest and best fundraiser ever." They are looking for volunteers to help gather door prizes, assist with the online auction (new this year) or "cook up a mean pot of chili or fabulous BBQ."

Applebees, The Cove, Twin Falls Sandwich Shop, Orlan's Fabulous BBQ, and La Fiesta are just some of the restaurants committed to entering the cook-off. Bring your best, compete, taste, and have fun.

The Twin Falls Optimist Club hopes to raise $20,000 through this event. Keleigh Godfrey, co-chair, says that they are a little more than half-way to that mark. What a great opportunity to support the community and have a lot of fun!. Contact Keleigh (208.308.2728) to participate.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

The 94th Annual Optimist International Convention has come to a close in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Six amendments and two resolutions have been debated and resolved. Awards and recognition were given and new officers elected. Fellowship and friendship was enjoyed by all.

In administrative issues, the proposed amendments to the bylaws were ruled as follows:

Issue 1 changes the qualifications for the office of President of Optimist International to "Those eligible for the office of President shall be a member of a club in good standing in Optimist International, and they shall have served a full term as a District Governor and a full term as Vice President.

Issue 2 clarified the procedure for replacing an past international president on the candidates qualification committee.

Issue 3 was amended on the floor to make the pilot club program an official baseline number of members (15) for starting a new Optimist Club.

Issue 4 extended the date for completing an annual review to December 31 of each year.

Issue 5 which would have changed the way the International Candidates Qualifications Committee conducts business was withdrawn by the clubs that made the proposal.

Issue 6 to allow online voting for international issues and candidates for office was defeated.

Two resolutions were passed; one to commend the efforts of the International Convention Committee on their fine work and one to encourage a different way of verifying student scholarship participants' ages without providing a birth certificate be researched and adopted by the International Programs Committee.

Ron Huxley defeated at-large candidate Ted Gaffin to lead the organization in 2013-2014.

J.C. St.-Onge was recognized as the president-designate to take office on October 1, 2012. The theme will be "For the Future."

Jack and Sue Creswell and the team of fine governors for the 2011-2012 administrative year were acknowledged and encouraged to continue to give "100% and then some" as they work to bring out the best in children.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

A question that we frequently hear, "What do Optimist Clubs do?" requires an answer that is unique to every club. Yes, Optimist Clubs provide community service with an emphasis on projects that benefit children, but they do so much more based on the needs of their community at any given time.

The Lake Washington Optimist Club in Kirkland, Washington was just recognized by their local community for helping to meet an exceptional need. By answering a request from HopeLink.org, the Lake Washington Optimist Club agreed to be on call to provide up to 20 sack lunches on a 24-hour notice to the summer feeding program.

Based on children who receive free or reduced lunch during the school year, the program serves children throughout the school districts in north and east King County. About 100 children receive lunches each day in the Lake Washington area, but due to federal regulations the program can't prepare extra meals for the days when more children show. By committing to provide those lunches on short notice, the Lake Washington Optimist Club is making sure that no child goes home hungry.

Monday, July 9, 2012

The "share optimism" thought today comes from the official Facebook page for Junior Optimist Octagon International (JOOI). I thought it was a great way for Optimist Club members to start the week and I also hope that it sends a message to those leaders who are on their way to Milwaukee for the 94th Annual Optimist International Convention. It takes great vision and a positive attitude to lead our organization and we thank you for your dedication.

While on the JOOI Facebook page, I also learned that while at the International Convention the students will be doing a service project with Easter Seals of Southeast Wisconsin. The Easter Seals mission statement is "To create a community that promotes health, happiness, independence and safety by providing individuals with disabilities increased opportunities for access, inclusion and choice." That sounds like a perfect opportunity for an Optimistic partnership. Why not visit with the Easter Seals in your community and see if there is an opportunity for your Optimist Club to provide a needed service?

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

That means next year the PNW District can celebrate the club's first anniversary right along with Canada Day. And we all love reasons to celebrate, don't we?

According to Builder of Excellence Dallis Winsor, the club was organized by Esthermarie Hillman, West Region VP and Bill French, Governor. They have set their sights on a zone of at least three clubs to bring out the best in kids between Terrace and Prince Rupert. We wish them good luck in all future endeavors.

Kermodei Optimists, we welcome you to the PNW District and Optimist International!

Monday, July 2, 2012

It's another Monday morning, friends, and for US citizens there is a national holiday smack-dab in the middle of the week. How awkward is that? Sounds like a good day to share some optimism!

Today's message comes from Bertie Slauson, a member of the Gresham Optimist Club. She's served our district as a lt. governor, first lady and VIP, and when she is not saying, "Go Jets," she says, "Believe." Bertie believes in optimism. Do you?

Unless otherwise indicated, all information on this site has been created and contributed by Linda Vaught. Please give attribution to the author and/or blog when sharing information from this website. Thank you.